Inverness to Host Scotland

Inverness is warming up to host Scotland’s largest marine conference and exhibition at Eden Court Theatre next week (19th and 20th September). The Scottish Renewables Marine Energy Conference, in association with Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), will see over 200 delegates and 30 exhibitors attending.

The conference will focus on the real issues around moving an industry from R&D and pre-commercial testing to full commercialisation. The new Scottish Government target of 800MW of wave and tidal energy installed by 2020 gives the Scottish marine energy industry a concrete target – the first of its kind anywhere in the world.

Delegates will hear from a number of influential industry experts and the workshops are designed to generate practical actions for supporting the growth of the Scottish marine sector and delivering the ambitious marine energy targets set out in the Scottish Government’s Renewables Routemap. The marine sector has been set a target of 800MW to come from wave and tidal energy to contribute to the wider target of 100% of Scotland’s electricity requirements coming from renewables by 2020.

There will be a dinner at the Bishop’s Palace on Monday evening where leaders from the wave and tidal sector, local and national government, regulators and academia will have the opportunity for further networking and discussion about the industry requirements for the continued development of Scotland’s world-leading marine sector.

This is the third year the landmark policy and networking event for Scotland’s wave and tidal sector has been held in Inverness.

Calum Davidson, HIE’s director of energy and low carbon said: “We are delighted the Highlands and Islands has again been chosen to host Scotland's largest marine energy conference. Scotland and the Highlands and Islands in particular are truly leading the world in marine energy development and deployment.

“This event is a great opportunity for our businesses already working in the sector, as well as those considering expansion into wave and tidal energy, to hear first hand from project and technology developers, Scottish Government, regulators and finance and market experts. We have huge supply chain opportunities here in the Highlands and Islands for the offshore renewables industry and we want to ensure we are best placed to maximise the economic and community benefits this presents.”

Johanna Yates, policy manager for offshore wind, wave and tidal at Scottish Renewables, said: “The event provides an opportunity to learn about the progress being made in the industry as well as the continued challenges and possible solutions for overcoming these. Together with the chance to network with the Scottish and UK wave and tidal industry and to hear the perspectives of leading specialists in this field offers attendees a valuable experience.

“This year so far has proved to be pivotal for the wave and tidal sector with real progress coming in terms of steel in the water and new players entering the market. With a real focus on collaboration and technology, we are gearing up for discussion and practical actions coming for the conference debates.”